As the aorta traverses from anterior to posterior, the arch deviates towards the left. The esophagus is posterior and slightly left of the ascending aorta and posterior to the aortic arch. The descending aorta then travels from anterior to posterior to a point in the diaphragm where the aorta is posterior to the esophagus.
The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) and American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) have defined six views of the thoracic aorta that should be performed in the standard exam. The six views are listed below. Besides the six standard views, the aortic valve long and short axis views can be added because they include the aortic root which should be evaluated in every exam.
Discussion of the epiaortic views is contained in the Advanced Section of E-Echocardiography.com
SCA/ASE Views of the Thoracic Aorta
Midesophageal Ascending Aorta Short Axis (ME AscAo SAX)
Midesophageal Ascending Aorta Long Axis (ME AscAo LAX)
Upper Esophageal Aortic Arch Short Axis (UE AoArch SAX)
Upper Esophageal Aortic Arch Long Axis (UE AoArch LAX)
